Vote or die

I always vote, my Mum drummed it into me at an early age that women died to get us the vote, so the least we can do is honor them by voting.
I'll be there, not going to discuss who I'm voting for though.

This will be my first time voting, and what a bunch I have to choose from..

[Stu]

Seeing as this is not a general election, but instead local & European. I haven't a clue about anyone who is standing & what they represent
So I'll just have to vote Conservative

[Lissa]

I'll vote, for a candidate not from the main political parties. Don't care which.

Not voting can be a political act for some people. Anarchists for example may not wish to legitimize a system that they see as oppressive. By not voting one is withdrawing support from the system.

There is currently no mechanism whereby one can register a vote against the system without voting FOR one of the candidates. I would like to have a 'None of the Above' option, or a 'Vote Against' option to use if I found a particular candidate/party particularly odious.

Because of this I will wander over and reluctantly take part to try and stop a certain party getting elected.

As Charles Bukowski said...“The difference between a democracy and a dictatorship is that in a democracy you vote first and take orders later; in a dictatorship you don't have to waste your time voting.”

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Samurai Penguin

There is currently no mechanism whereby one can register a vote against the system without voting FOR one of the candidates. I would like to have a 'None of the Above' option, or a 'Vote Against' option to use if I found a particular candidate/party particularly odious.

But there is
Have you not read Matt's post all about spoiling your voting paper?
Just put any mark on it anywhere, or not even a mark at all (leave it blank)- except for a clear X in a box opposite a candidate.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Daimo

Whats a spoilt vote going to do???

If the media reported after the event that there was a 75% voter turnout with 50% votes being spoilt, then all the politician in the country would resign & we would come up with a different system of government.

But, I predict the media will simply be reporting a 25% voter turnout

What's the legal position with respect to spoiling your ballot paper?

I keep telling the young pups in the office "Vote and you have earned the right to whinge, complain and offer your alternative."

I will be voting even though we only have Euro-Elections here.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Stu

If the media reported after the event that there was a 75% voter turnout with 50% votes being spoilt, then all the politician in the country would resign & we would come up with a different system of government.

I don't believe they would.